The organizing committee of the Damascus Marathon 2026 held a press conference today, Monday, at the Semiramis Hotel in Damascus, to announce the details of the second edition of the sports event, which will take place next Friday, with participation from runners from 24 countries.
Amir Al-Rifai, the marathon's executive director, clarified that the event's general vision is not limited to providing a sports race, but aims to build a platform that brings people together and enhances community spirit. He explained that the goal is to put Damascus on the international map through a highly professional event that reflects a bright image befitting the city's distinguished history.
For her part, Raba Sasaila, Director of Tourism Marketing and Media at the Ministry of Tourism, pointed out the ministry's interest in the sports tourism product that attracts wide segments, noting that the marathon aims to create an exceptional tourism experience to enhance the cultural and heritage identity of Syria and Damascus, by allowing participants to explore the city's landmarks.
Jad Assaasa, the marathon's operations director, also outlined the race routes, which are divided into four tracks with distances of 42, 21, 10, and 5 kilometers, starting from the Umayyad Gardens and passing through Damascus's old landmarks. The starts will be staggered at 6:00, 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00 in the morning.
For his part, Eyad Al-Nuqash, Commercial Director of the Syrian Airline Company, confirmed that support comes because the event transcends borders and brings together people from different cultures. Meanwhile, Anwar Al-Louji, President of the Damascus Youth Chamber, highlighted the role of volunteers as ambassadors of the city. Jamana Qaddah, representing one of the sponsors, confirmed that the support aims to convey a positive message to companies and economic activities.
It is worth noting that the first edition of the marathon took place in September of last year, with the participation of 2,500 runners from various countries.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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